Utah - Camping
 

We plan on being near Moab for three nights and want to camp in Arches NP or Canyonlands NP. It looks like both places are 100% first come, first serve. Does anyone know the best way to snag a camping spot? If that doesn't work out, are there other campgrounds in the area?
Thanks

You can make reservations at Dead Horse State Park, which is located between the two areas you mentioned. You might also want to check out this site for other nearby camping areas, http://www.utah.com/database/campgrounds/?id=453. If you don't mind primitive camping (no toilet facilities or water) you can check out BLM lands. Can usually snag a camping spot at Arches if you don't arrive past mid-morning. Can ask around the night before to see who might be leaving and see if you can work out a time to be there just as they are leaving.

I have stayed at Canyonlands--near Elephant Hill, I think. It was a great campground with some trees for privacy. Arches is really open. You can do ok camping at the KOA in Moab during the week--on the weekends it is very noisy.

I have always gotten campsites by coming in the night before and staying at the KOA (because you can reserve there I think) and then getting up bright and early the next day and driving to the campgrounds to get an open spot. (like by 8 or 9 am)

P, The small campground at Arches, Devil's Garden, is very hard to get in to. Half of the spots are reservable, and the other half are first come first served.

If you can't get in there, there are lots of campgrounds along the CO River, many of which have been recently upgraded. I would camp EAST of town, where there is shade in the afternoon! West of town on the river cooks in the sun.

The Dead Horse Campground is rather new, and there are quite a few BLM sites. Check on the web for info or at the Moab Visitor's Center when you arrive.

There are also Nalt Forest campground up high in the La Sal Mtns south east of town, but that would be it's own trip. Not convenient at all for see the parks.

The Willow Flats campground in Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands only has 12 sites and bring LOTS of water because there is none up here. If you can get in, you are within walking distance of Green River Overlook which is a fantastic view! You will probably have to be camped in Moab to snag a spot here. Watch out the nats eat you alive!

If you can reserve a site in Devils Garden campground in Arches, it's well worth it. The campground is in a scenic setting of red standstone and within walking distance of several great hikes.

Summer is HOT in Moab so if you want to be able to cool off in a pool there are several great campgrounds in Moab with pools.

There BLM camping along the Colorado River on both sides of Hwy 191. Be careful, swimming in the Colorado River can be very dangerous. Locals don't drown in the River because they know better than to try and swim in it.

Utahtea